Welcome to Litsy!

I'm on the prairie in the Nebraska heartland.
#whereareyouMonday
@Cupcake12

#storysettings #prairie

I love reading classics and this one was so good. Reminded me a bit of when I read Little House books when I was younger. This title drew me in and I was well entertained. #bookspin @thearomaofbooks

https://youtu.be/yOIMY_YUu0M?si=6ZXfV-Jfsd3Mm5_I

Hannah‘s BookTube channel, Hannah‘s Books: @HannahsBooks?si=PaO9c133d9jH42b1" rel="nofollow" target="_top">https://youtube.com/@HannahsBooks?si=PaO9c133d9jH42b1
@hannahsbooks1
(Be sure and check out her BookTube channel for her complete series of Cather videos!)

If you want to escape present time, then pick up this book.

It was a pure pleasure to read. Willa Cather's writing is so beautiful, especially when she describes her surroundings.

It's a tale about immigration, multi-faceted, set in a harsh environment, but it's also a friendship story, a story about neighbors helping each other out. You'll witness the difficulties faced by the immigrants in the late 1800s, but also how resilient they were.

The final book in Cather‘s Plains trilogy, this book tells the story of orphan Jim Burden and Ántonia Shimerda, who are each brought as children to be pioneers in Nebraska towards the end of the 19th century. It was a hard but memorable life, but left lasting impressions upon friends Jim and Antonia. Ive read O Pioneer, still need to read Song of the Lark

#Pantone2023
#SeriesLove2023
#20in4 Readathon Day 2
#RushAThon Day 26

Just finished the final book by Willa Cather in her Great Plains Trilogy. I love these stories of the early immigrants and their harsh environment. Such lovely writing ❤️ Thanks to @CarolynM
Next another recommendation, and so far it‘s lovely. Japanese books always seem to have a quirky cat in them!!
#fiction #americanliterature #japanesefiction

Didn‘t read that many books in June/July so doing these together. My favorite in June was A Thousand Ships & the best in July is My Antonia. #12booksof2021 @Andrew65

Read this as an undergrad; I‘m feeling the urge to see how I process some literature after some time. ☺️

A good day to knit and read.

“I prefer to be foolish when I feel like it, and be accountable to nobody.”
― Willa Cather, My Ántonia
#audibleknitters

I always enjoy listening to an Audible book while walking 🚶🏻‍♀️🎧📚. #audible #walking #audiblewalking

This is definitely resonating now that the summer weather is on the verge of disappearing.

While I really loved reading about Antonia, the pace of this story ebbed and flowed for me and I wanted more about Antonia herself. I liked where it eventually went, though I don\'t know that I\'d be excited to read more Cather.

Started reading the physical book, but I felt I didn‘t have time, so I switched to audio. I really enjoyed this classic. Set in Nebraska, Cather makes you want to see the beautiful sunsets & fields. Loved the characters, esp the relationship between Ántonia & Jim. Only frustrating thing on audio is the narrator went back & forth for a bit in his pronunciation of Ántonia. A classic worth reading. My #doublespin book for July. @TheAromaofBooks

A good read. Once I was caught up in it I had to finish. Chores can wait.

“‘You‘d better put in out in the rain barrel‘”

Had to stop reading last night because I was too nervous about what would happen to Antonia. She deserves so much!

Growing up in Nebraska means reading My Antonia at least once in school. It‘s been probably 20+ years since then so I thought I‘d give it a listen. I‘m still not a fan of the main character, Jim. He‘s very self-centered and unable to see the world through anybody else‘s eyes until the end when he finally grows up.
That said, it is a beautifully written book and I am proud to be from the state that inspired Willa Cather.

I know a lot of people love this book but I‘M BORED. I‘ve been working my way through for about a month and I just can‘t do it anymore. The characters are uninteresting and Jim Burden is coming off as a pompous ass now. Nope, I‘m done. Bailing...

I‘ve been curious about this book for years. Found it on the bargain shelf at B&N and thought it was time to tackle it. Anyone read this? Opinions?

Love to read Willa Cather. Rereading this was like revisiting an old friend and discovering that my friend was so much more than I remembered her to be. Antonia showed strength and resilience surviving and finally, inevitably thriving the harsh measure the newly settled prairie commanded. A powerful story.

I enjoyed my first reading of this classic book. Can‘t believe it took me this long to read it! While the titular character was romanticized by our protagonist, Jim Burden, this didn‘t distract from the very real trials of settlers in early America. 4/5⭐️

I look out for this list each year - this year I think i'll head to Nebraska....

https://www.forbes.com/sites/katherineparkermagyar/2020/06/17/50-books-for-50-st...

My Antonia
Larry McMurtry
Mamma Mia!
Mark Knopfler
Mad World

#ManicMonday #LetterM

#BiblioMAYnia #RuralSetting
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

Jim‘s memories of Antonia‘s family‘s experiences as new immigrants to Nebraska feels particularly relevant today. Antonia has complexity to her story and character as she makes a life in the states. Cather shows both the welcome and the suspicion with which the immigrants could be viewed as well as Antonia‘s family‘s adjustment to a new culture. Found it quite moving and was a hit in my family book club.

This was my second read, and I fell more in love... mostly. #audiobook #dw2020reads

Pros: The farm life and small town life routines will appeal to Little House fans. Many passages about the plains landscape touch my heart and bring up memories. As I get older, I sympathize with more and more characters.

Con: Part 2, Chapter 7! Slight spoiler as that chapter's all romanticized racism. Feel free to skip it as it doesn't affect anything crucial.

10 years ago, I was embarking on a year-long reading project to mark the 100th anniversary of my employer, the Rochester (NY) Public Library. I read 100 books - 1 book from each year the library was in operation. I read some amazing books and some duds. The best and most beautiful was My Antonia by Willa Cather. Here is what I wrote about it - https://itsallaboutthebook.org/2011/03/04/100-years-100-books-6-1918/

These pretties have been at our local library's ongoing book sale the past few weeks. Every time I go in I feel tempted to bring a few home despite the fact that I don't collect books and try to gift my favorites as quickly as possible so I don't have to pack and unpack them next time we move. But a pretty copy of The Yearling or My Antonia could be happy on my bookshelves, maybe...

There was a basic harmony between Ántonia and her mistress. They had strong, independent natures, both of them. They knew what they liked, and were not always trying to imitate other people. They loved children and animals and music, and rough play and digging in the earth. They liked to prepare rich, hearty food and to see people eat it; to make up soft white beds and to see youngsters asleep in them.👇🏽

📷: Bantam classic cover of My Ántonia

I went to a large book sale today run by a couple nonprofit groups in my area and this was my best find. A Penguin Drop Caps copy of My Antonia! For $2! I have gazed lovingly and longingly at the web page for the Drop Caps books and dreamed of owning the whole collection. This is my first one. I audibly gasped when I recognized the spine. 😍🧡🧡🧡

His mind was full of her that day. He made me see her again, feel her presence, revived all my old affection for her.
Started today!

I think Cather reminds us to break from this myth of subservient rural wives, and admire the variation of female strength, independence and vitality. She also uses that prose of hers to create something of a childhood Garden of Eden. It‘s not a simple as you might think. (For more, feel free to click on my attempt at a review...links in the comments)

Loved reading with the #catherbuddyread

I am trying REALLY hard not to order these today. But look how gorgeous they are! Wouldn't these make one heck of a #bookhaul?! #GodGrantMeStrength

This was the first Cather I read and I loved it immediately. Her writing is incredibly evocative - she conjures people and places so vividly with small, telling details that make me feel like I know them and remember the times she is writing about. I loved the book just as much on this reread and thoroughly enjoyed the discussion. Thank you @Graywacke and all the buddy readers.

My Ántonia starts out strong with such great descriptions of pioneer #Nebraska that is becomes appealing and beautiful. (I‘ve been to Nebraska and found it to be neither of those things.) Then it simply becomes vignettes in the life of Jim Burden. The writing style didn‘t work for me, but I‘ve intended to read this book for years, so I‘m glad I finally did.

#ReadingUSA2019 #catherbuddyread

Ok, I‘m getting started! My edition is from 1977. My sister read this book in high school (I think) and my mom clearly bought it at my childhood used bookstore (aka the inspiration for my Litsy name). I kept it since I always figured I‘d read it someday. My sister is now 45, so better late than never! 😂

#catherbuddyread

Thanks for the tag @readordierachel. 😀 Here are my #top6reads of the year 2019 so far. Special mention to the Great Plains trilogy by Willa Cather (will be reading My Antonia next).

Thanks @Cinfhen for this idea. It has contributed immensely towards making the TBR grow grow grow. 😆

I tag @ju.ca.no, @sudi, and @ephemeralwaltz. Hello! 🙃

Have book, will sit in waiting room at the doctor‘s office past my appointment time.

I swear to all the amazing books in the world, if @Graywacke hadn't started a buddy read of this trilogy God knows when would I have picked it up, or maybe never?! The first two books have been fantastic reads, and have added richness, happiness, satisfaction to my reading life. You guys, if you want some more beautiful prose and characters in your life, read Cather.

Having said that, happy to be part of My Antonia buddy read. 💓

I‘ve got my magnetic bookmarks marking out the sections for the #catherbuddyread of My Antonía. @Graywacke

Due to extraordinary luck Serial Reader was noticed by Salon writer Mary Elizabeth Williams, who gave me the opportunity to ramble about the app and why I created it (hint: it revolves around My Antonia and some crying). Check out her excellent article if you're interested: https://www.salon.com/2019/06/02/my-phone-helped-me-fall-in-love-with-books-agai...

And if not, at least be sure to read the excellent My Antonia by Willa Cather!

Finished my first book using Serial Reader! I opted for a short one, 37 issues.

Depressing

CAWPILE Rating: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vcXoB38tSUI

C- 9

A- 10

W- 10

P- 6

I- 9

L- 10

E- 10

Avg= 9.1= ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Full Review: https://miquereads.blogspot.com

#backtotheclassics2019 #backtotheclassics #myantonia #mmdreading #mmdchallenge (a book published before you were born)

"As I looked about me I felt that the grass was the country, as the water is the sea. The red of the grass made all the great prairie the colour of winestains, or of certain seaweeds when they are first washed up. And there was so much motion in it; the whole country seemed, somehow, to be running."

#backtotheclassics2019

When I think of wheat, I think of the prairies where I grew up in Winnipeg and in Wichita, which led me to thinking of Willa Cather. I‘ve been wanting to read my Antonia for a long time now. Maybe this will be the year. I‘ve put it off after disliking o‘pioneers in middle school. #readinggrudge #timbittunes #wheatkings

SIGH. This had everything I liked about O Pioneers and everything I hated about The Song of the Lark. I really enjoyed the overall story and the depiction of the complexities of country life and of a time gone by. It was difficult to read past the racism and misogyny at times though.

Trying to blast through the end of this so I can make 2019 a Willa Cather free year.